AHSG History and Purpose

(Go back to About Us.)

Arundel Homeschool Support Group began in 1987 when ten "pioneer" home-schooling families banded together for mutual support and to provide their children with opportunities for a Fine Arts Festival and Science Fair. Thanks to their vision and leadership, AHSG today has a membership of over 170 families and sponsors several major events throughout the year. A $20 family membership entitles you to:

• A listing in and copy of the annual directory
• Receive the AHSG Newsletter
• Participate in annual AHSG-sponsored events such as the Fellowship Dinner, History Fair, Fine Arts Festival, Science Fair, Curriculum Fair, Track & Field Day, Picnic, and any other AHSG-sponsored events.
• A subscription to private AHSG announcements email-list
• AHSG website, with members-only areas such as messageboard

(The number of events sponsored each year can vary, depending on the availability of members to participate in the overseeing of each event.)

AHSG membership puts you in touch with other families who share your vision for training and educating children. It's a way to find each other and build up one another as we go through the school years together. It gives you the best of both worlds the intimacy of training and educating your children at home coupled with the opportunities that come with a larger community. You participate in as much or as little as you choose but you know that you are not alone in your endeavor to make your children's homeschool experience successful.

AHSG members span the range of ages, church affiliations, curriculum choices, family sizes, years of homeschooling, and geographic locations. What brings us together in unity is the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to Him. We are part of the Body of Christ, working together to equip parents, teach children, and share our gifts to benefit one another. The organization is as successful as its members are enthusiastic and involved.

A Board of Directors sets policy in keeping with the statement of faith and plans the yearly calendar. Leadership positions on the board and for special events are open to all volunteers who agree in writing with the statement of faith.

AHSG is not an umbrella organization that will relieve you of your responsibility to register with the county and prepare a portfolio, but we can provide you with information about the different umbrellas our members have chosen.

We are not affiliated with a particular church but have friendly relationships with several area churches that allow us to use their facilities.

The AHSG Newsletter and the AHSG Messageboard are your forums of communication with one another. We encourage you to publicize whatever you think would benefit fellow homeschool families. We retain the right to edit or exclude information that is not appropriate. The deadline for written entries in the Newsletter is typically the 15th of each month preceding publication date (August 15th for the September issue, etc.).

We maintain a lending library of tried and true material. It is open one day per month in the home of a member. Watch the newsletter for details.

AHSG is a member of the Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE). AHSG members in turn receive discounts to membership in the Home School Legal Defense Fund, MACHE events, and some local bookstores.

If you have a vision for something we don't offer, contact a board member and get the ball rolling. We will support you in any way we possibly can. For example, 5 years ago AHSG members conceived of and launched Cornerstone to meet their high schoolers' academic needs. Other AHSG members started the Recreational Youth Athletic League, a family-friendly league where sportsmanship, encouragement and character development are placed ahead of winning and competition. AHSG members also came together to start the Hosanna Players, a regional Christian theater group. These organizations would probably never have come into existence had AHSG not been there to provide the opportunity for like-minded homeschoolers to get to know one another and share their dreams and ideas. We look forward to hearing yours!